Tribes of Darjeeling hills

Historical injustice is distinctly evident on the part of governments in respect to the Tribes of Darjeeling hills. People of Darjeeling hills are genuinely tribal by nature and characteristically, thereby, pre-Independence British government had resolutely included all the hills people into Hills Tribes to avoid the exploitation of innocent hills Tribes by clever people from the plains, which conspicuously reflected in the caste census of 1931. Moreover, entire Darjeeling hills constitutionally included into Partially Excluded Area by Govt. of India Act 1935 and Order 1936. After independence 1947 and the promulgation of the Indian Constitution in 1950 and 1952 onwards, Excluded and Partially Excluded Areas are termed as Fifth and Sixth Schedule. In True Sense, it is the key to unlock the fate of Darjeeling hills.

Following the partition of Bengal in 1905, ‘The Chief Commissioner’s Province’ or ‘The Governors Province of Bengal’ was demanded for Darjeeling hills, however, it was overlooked mainly due to then ongoing issues like Quit India Movement, WWI/WWII upshots, international affairs, as well as local leaders of Darjeeling hills were actively supporting regional and nationals leaders to drive British out of India.

Despite all the contributions by the people of Darjeeling hills towards Mother India during the freedom Movement, there was undeniable historical injustice, implemented tactfully ‘Section 20 of Absorbed Area (Laws)Act’ 1954, by categorizing hills society into fragmented communities with diverse religions and caste, literarily, kept outside the purview of SRC 1956. Meanwhile, under the influence of regional leaders, local leaders vehemently rejected the Tribal status for hills people in real time.

On the course of time, CPI(M) Government was looking for alternative to DGHC, Sixth Schedule status for Darjeeling hills was drafted as a option to DGHC. To meet the criteria of tribal population for Sixth Schedule status in the hills, Resolutions of Tamang and Limbu passed at Sikkim State Assembly in 2002. Accordingly, Tamang and Limbu included in Schedule Tribe status in 2003, attaining the tribal population from 9 percent to 34.6 percent of total tribal population in Darjeeling hills. Sixth Schedule Tripartite Agreement was signed in 2005. Realizing the long term repercussion of Sixth Schedule, CPI(M) government swiftly rectified the mistake they created unpretentiously.

With the advent of time, people of hills realized the significance of Tribal status, not in True Sense, but looking at the benefits and amenities received by other Schedule Tribe groups. Demand of Schedule Tribe further increased and intensified, when Tamang and Limbu of Gorkha community acquired ST status in 2003, naturally, next door neighbors are being privileged with government jobs and education, leaving their cousins far behind.

Lately, GJMM seems serious on the issue of Tribal status for all hills communities. It is the GJMM who explicitly specified 11 communities including Dhimal of plains. It was certainly GJMM’s effective move to lobby through Sikkim government.

An Order to constitute a Committee under Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs to examine and recommend specifically 11Gorkha communities for ST status, indeed a welcome move. However, what a timing! Elections already knocking door, there are scheduled rallies in Bengal, under the circumstances, such move by BJP Govt. is skeptical for all, while, more than hundreds of deserving hill tribes from several states, including Assam, Odisha, Chhattishgarh and Jharkhand, are still pending.

Meanwhile, If all specified 11 Gorkha communities are included in ST list, Darjeeling hills tribal population would exceed 80 percent of total population, legitimately that will pave the way for Schedule areas, implication would be severe, which Bengal government likely to refrain to the extent possible, unless, path followed through Sikkim as in 2002.

Lastly, how strong favorable opinions from RGI and National Commissions for STs, it is the political Will that decide all the issues of Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Whether Tribal status for specified Gorkha community is feasible or not, BJP already sets best Move against Bengal.

FLASH NEWS

Two more Morcha leaders have been arrested in connection with incidents of violence during the current statehood movement. They are Gyan Singh, a former councillor of Darjeeling municipality, and Sanjila Chhetri, a member of the Morcha’s Darjeeling subdivisional committee. 13,909 total views, 2,276 views today Comments comments

Twelve Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha members ended their hunger strike on Monday, the eve of the nation’s Independence Day, after Union home minister appealed to them. However, the indefinite bandh in Darjeeling hills to continue. 39,151 total views, 2,243 views today Comments comments

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